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Summer is half over—and if you’re anything like me, that means you’ve already consumed your yearly quota of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio and would welcome a new house white to see you through to Labor Day.

Alois Lageder’s 2014 Dolomiti Pinot Bianco (as Pinot Blanc is called in Italy) hails from Alto Adige, in the northeastern part of the country. The wine’s green apple and white stone fruit flavors are ripe and fresh; it’s dry but not overly acidic and has a round, almost plump mouthfeel.

Don’t overthink the ultimate food pairing for this everyday white—this is a bottle for the picnic basket, perfectly satisfying alongside cold pasta salad and grilled chicken.

I have never been a Chardonnay fan, and have been known to opt for water if Chardonnay is the only wine on offer. I love a good Sauvignon Blanc, though, or YES! a Rueda Verdejo, or a Grüner Veltliner. On our last camping trip to France, we stocked up on Rosé de Provence, and Bourgogne Aligoté, which is totally delicious!

Chardonnay doesn't appeal to me at all for a warm weather picnic (though actually not one of my favorites in general.) Too rich and heavy with picnic fare - I'd much rather have a chilled Rose, Prosecco or Vinho Verde...or an ice cold beer.

Rose and Prosecco are all the rage these days. I have been drinking Whispering Angel rose. I agree on the Chardonnay although I had a few when I was in Sonoma the were good. they don't seem as oaky as they used to be.

But rage or not, I've loved them for ages - discovered Prosecco decades ago as a student in Italy, and my parents were big rose drinkers (they spent a lot of time in Spain and So. of France.) I'm okay with Chardonnay - and have had some good ones - just never been my first choice, especially while sitting in the sun!